What Is the Best Skill to Level Up in Ark: Survival Evolved?

The question of the “best” skill to level up in Ark: Survival Evolved is complex because there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. It hinges entirely on your playstyle, your role in a tribe (if you’re playing with others), and your immediate goals within the game. However, if forced to choose a single “best” stat applicable to most players, in most situations, it would be Weight. An increased Weight capacity directly translates to more efficient resource gathering, faster base building, and the ability to carry crucial items during exploration and combat. This improved efficiency helps across most activities in the game.

Understanding the Core Stats in Ark

Before diving deeper, it’s crucial to understand what each stat offers:

• Health: Determines how much damage you can take before dying.
• Stamina: Governs actions like sprinting, attacking with melee weapons, and harvesting resources.
• Oxygen: Impacts how long you can hold your breath underwater.
• Food: Influences how quickly your hunger depletes.
• Water: Influences how quickly your thirst depletes.
• Weight: Dictates how much you can carry before becoming encumbered.
• Melee Damage: Affects the damage you deal with melee weapons.
• Movement Speed: Determines how fast you can move on foot.
• Fortitude: Increases resistance to weather effects (heat, cold) and torpor.
• Crafting Skill: Influences the quality of crafted items (higher quality gear often has better stats).

Why Weight Often Reigns Supreme

While other stats are undeniably vital, Weight offers a compounding effect that benefits almost every aspect of gameplay:

• Resource Gathering: A higher Weight capacity means fewer trips back to base when farming resources. This saves time and reduces exposure to danger.
• Base Building: Building a substantial base requires hauling massive amounts of resources like stone, wood, and metal. Increased Weight drastically speeds up this process.
• Exploration: When venturing into uncharted territories, you’ll need to carry food, water, weapons, armor, and possibly even building materials. A higher Weight ensures you’re prepared for anything.
• Combat: Looting fallen enemies or supply drops often involves carrying heavy items. More Weight lets you secure valuable resources without becoming overburdened.

When to Prioritize Other Stats

While Weight is generally a solid choice, there are specific scenarios where other stats take precedence:

• Early Game (Levels 1-20): Health and Stamina are crucial for surviving early encounters with hostile creatures and navigating the environment. A few points into Food and Water can also make life easier.
• Combat-Focused Builds: If you primarily engage in combat, investing in Health, Melee Damage, and Movement Speed is essential. More Health keeps you alive longer, higher Melee Damage lets you take down enemies faster, and increased Movement Speed allows you to dodge attacks and maneuver strategically.
• Underwater Exploration: If you spend a lot of time underwater, prioritizing Oxygen becomes necessary to survive.
• Extreme Weather Environments: In regions with extreme heat or cold, investing in Fortitude is critical for survival.

Balanced Approach vs. Specialized Builds

Ultimately, the “best” skill to level up depends on your approach to the game.

• Balanced Approach: A well-rounded character with decent stats in Health, Stamina, Weight, and Fortitude is versatile and can handle a variety of situations.
• Specialized Builds: Focusing on specific stats can create a character optimized for a particular role, such as a dedicated builder (high Weight), a combat specialist (high Health and Melee Damage), or a scout (high Movement Speed).

The Importance of Mindwipe Tonic

The Mindwipe Tonic is a crucial item that allows you to reset your character’s stats and engrams. This gives you the flexibility to experiment with different builds and adapt to changing circumstances. Don’t be afraid to try different stat distributions and see what works best for your playstyle.

Tips for Efficient Leveling

• Crafting: Crafting items, especially early on, is a great way to gain experience.
• Gathering Resources: Harvesting resources provides a steady stream of experience.
• Building: Constructing buildings and structures grants significant experience points.
• Killing Creatures: Defeating creatures, especially larger and more dangerous ones, yields substantial experience.
• Completing Explorer Notes: Finding and reading Explorer Notes provides a significant experience boost.
• Use XP Buffs: Utilize Broth of Enlightenment or events that boost XP gain to level up faster.
• Tame a Lystrosaurus: A tamed Lystrosaurus boosts the experience gained by nearby players and creatures when you pet it. This is a simple but effective way to get more XP.

Mastering the Ark

Figuring out what to level is just one part of mastering the game. Understanding the game mechanics, working with others, and knowing when to adapt all play a role in your success. It also might be worth it to connect with others in the field. For more insights into games, learning, and how they connect, be sure to check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Food stat affect how quickly I starve in Ark?

No, the Food stat determines how much food you can store in your body and how long it takes for your hunger to deplete. It does not change the amount of food you must eat.

2. Is it worth leveling Oxygen in Ark?

It depends on your playstyle. If you frequently explore underwater, leveling Oxygen is essential. Otherwise, a few points may suffice for short dives.

3. How much Weight should I have in Ark?

This varies, but a good starting point is around 200-300. As you progress and start hauling more resources, you’ll likely want to increase it further, potentially reaching 500 or more.

4. What does Fortitude actually do in Ark?

Fortitude provides resistance to extreme temperatures (heat and cold) and reduces the amount of torpor you receive from attacks.

5. Does leveling Crafting Skill guarantee better blueprints in Ark?

No, Crafting Skill affects the quality of items you craft, not the quality of blueprints you find. However, a high crafting skill increases the chance of crafting higher quality items from the same blueprint.

6. How important is Movement Speed in Ark?

Movement Speed can be very useful for escaping danger and traversing the map quickly. However, it’s not as crucial as Health, Stamina, or Weight for most players.

7. Can I reset my stats in Ark?

Yes, you can use a Mindwipe Tonic to reset your stats and engrams, allowing you to reallocate your points.

8. What’s the best way to level up quickly in Ark?

Crafting, gathering, building, and killing creatures are all effective ways to level up. Utilizing XP buffs and Explorer Notes can further accelerate the process.

9. Should I prioritize Health or Stamina in the early game?

Both are important, but Health is generally more crucial for surviving early encounters. A good balance between the two is ideal.

10. How does Melee Damage affect my harvesting in Ark?

Melee Damage affects the efficiency of harvesting resources with hand tools like the pickaxe and hatchet. Higher Melee Damage allows you to gather more resources per swing.

11. Can I exceed the maximum level in Ark?

Yes, you can exceed the base maximum level (typically 105) by defeating bosses, finding Explorer Notes, and completing other achievements.

12. What are the best stats for a solo player in Ark?

For solo players, a balanced approach is often best, with a focus on Health, Stamina, Weight, and Fortitude.

13. How does taming a Lystrosaurus boost XP?

When you pet a tamed Lystrosaurus, it applies an XP buff to nearby players and creatures, increasing the experience they gain from actions.

14. Does increasing Fortitude make me immune to extreme temperatures?

No, even with high Fortitude, you’ll still be affected by extreme temperatures. However, it will significantly reduce the negative effects.

15. What are the maximum stats a dino can have?

Dinosaur stats are determined by the amount of points in one stat. Every stat has a maximum of 255 points you can accumulate into it.